Self-contained ocular surgery instrument

ABSTRACT

A self-contained ocular surgery instrument, including a power module having a body presenting a mating coupler and including a compressed gas supply; a fluid reservoir; an aspiration pump; an aspirated material reservoir and a control panel. The mating coupler is structured to receive and couple to at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task. The compressed gas supply is coupled to the aspiration pump and the aspirated material reservoir is in fluid communication with the aspiration pump to receive aspirated material from the mating coupler. The fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the mating coupler such that fluid is supplied under pressure to the mating coupler and thus to the at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task. The control panel is in controlling communication with the compressed gas supply, the aspiration pump and the aspirated material reservoir.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/563,408, filed Sep. 26, 2017, entitled“Self-Contained Ocular Surgery Instrument,” which is hereby incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to the field of ocularsurgery. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate tohandheld instruments for ocular surgery.

BACKGROUND

Cataracts, a leading cause of vision loss and even blindness worldwide,occur when the natural crystalline lens of the eye becomes cloudy oropacified. Cataract surgery is commonly performed by the method ofphacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is a commonly practiced ocularsurgical procedure for removing cataracts.

Cataracts are caused by protein aggregation and accumulation in thenatural crystalline lens, causing light scattering. The interferencewith the passage of light through the natural crystalline lens causesimages to become cloudy and distorted, thereby diminishing visualacuity. Severe diminishment of visual acuity from cataracts can lead toan increase in auto accidents, falls, and other social problems.Generally, in the United States, cataract surgery is performed wellprior to severe reduction in vision as a consequence of the cataract.

Therefore, several surgical procedures, including phacoemulsification,have been developed to treat cataracts to restore lost vision.Generally, cataract surgical procedures are performed to remove theclouded natural crystalline lens and implant an artificial intraocularlens to replace the focusing power of the removed natural lens.

Phacoemulsification is performed with a hand-held instrument thatincludes an ultrasonically vibrating needle like tip, an aspiration tubeand a conduit to supply a balanced salt solution to replace fluid thatis removed from the eye by aspiration. The phacoemulsificationinstrument is coupled to a console by various tubing as well as anelectrical supply. The console provides power for the ultrasonicvibrating mechanism, a source of suction to accomplish aspiration and asource of fluid under pressure to replace fluid removed from the eye byaspiration and to maintain the anterior chamber during the procedure.

New developments in cataract surgery have made the need for ultrasonicpower supply less necessary as instruments utilizing femtosecond laserare being used to section the crystalline lens of the eye into smallpieces to facilitate removal of the lens.

The conventional phacoemulsification procedure emulsifies the affectedlens with the use of an ultrasonic hand-held device. Typically, theultrasonic device includes a needle like tip, which is through anincision made near the outer edge of the cornea of the eye. Onceinserted, the needle tip vibrates ultrasonically to fragment the lensfor removal by aspiration. After the natural lens is fragmented andsubstantially removed, an artificial intraocular lens is implantedthrough the incision to replace the natural lens and its focusing power.

In addition to the needle tip, the hand-held device generally includesan irrigation sleeve and an aspiration channel. The aspiration channelis housed within a hollow cross sectional area of the needle tip and iscoupled to a source of suction to aspirate fluid and fragmented tissueduring the procedure. The irrigation sleeve surrounds the needle tip andintroduces liquid, typically a balanced salt solution to aid in flushingand aspirating lens fragments and to replace fluid withdrawn or lostfrom the eye chamber. Phacoemulsification procedures have proven highlyeffective, however, the requirement that the handheldphacoemulsification instrument be tethered to a console can limit thesurgeon's mobility and may increase the difficulty of the procedure.

Vitrectomy is another ophthalmic surgical procedure that is performed.Vitrectomy involves the partial or complete removal of the vitreous bodywhich occupies the largest cavity of the eye. There are a large numberof reasons why vitrectomy may be necessary or desirable. These reasonsinclude the presence of a diabetic vitreous hemorrhage, the existence ofa retinal detachment, the presence of an epiretinal membrane, theexistence of a macular hole, the presence of proliferativevitreoretinopathy, endophthalmitis, the presence of an intraocularforeign body and the necessity to retrieve a lens nucleus followingcomplicated cataract surgery. Generally, the vitreous body is removed toprovide a better access to the retina for repairers of the retina.However, as apparent from the above list other reasons exist as well.

Typically in vitrectomy the dilated eye is entered through an incisionmade through the pars plana and through the sclera. The sclera is thewhite structural wall of the eye. The pars plana is a part of the farperipheral retina and choroid within the eye. While viewing the interiorof the eye through a surgical microscope and a specialized lens thesurgeon makes use of a vitrectomy probe, called a vitrector, to sectionand remove the gel-like vitreous body. During the procedure, additionalopenings in the wall of the eye are made to provide illumination withinthe eye into place various other instruments in the eye to assist insurgery. Thus the surgeon may utilize a light pipe for illumination,forceps to peel membranes or scar tissue, silicone tripped drainageneedles to drain fluid from within the eye or an intraocular laser probeto assist in sealing around retinal tears or to treat abnormal bloodvessels found in the eye. Conventional vitrectomy probes are typicallytethered to a console which provides vacuum and fluid replacement and asource of energy to operate the cutter of the vitrectomy probe.

Following cataract surgery an intraocular lens implant (IOL) istypically inserted into the eye to substitute for the focusing power ofthe natural lens which has been removed to provide focused vision forthe patient. Many IOLs that are used are foldable. That is the IOL canbe folded or rolled and inserted into the eye through a cannula likeinjector. Typically these IOL injectors require the surgeon to use bothhands to place the foldable IOL. A first hand is used to hold theinjector in position so that the cannula is within the eye and the lenscapsule. A secondhand is then used to manipulate a plunger or slide thatpushes the foldable IOL through the cannula. The need to use both handsto operate the IOL injector can be limiting to the surgeon.

In view of the above, there is still room for improvement in theophthalmic surgery arts related to cataract extraction.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention include a self-contained handheldinstrument for performing eye surgical procedures without the necessityof being tethered to a console that provides sources of electricalpower, suction and fluid replacement. These embodiments overcome many ofthe above discussed concerns.

An example embodiment of the self-contained handheld instrument includesan onboard compressed gas supply that drives aspiration as well as fluidreplacement. The handheld instrument also includes a supply of balancedsalt solution or another liquid to replace fluid aspirated from the eye.Example embodiments of the self-contained handheld instrument mayinclude a venturi pump or a compressed gas driven piston or turbine pumpto provide for aspiration of lens fragments as well as other power foroperating the instrument.

According to an example embodiment of the invention, all power tooperate the instrument is the provided by compressed gas. According toanother example embodiment of the invention, battery power may beutilized. However electronics tend not to stand up well to sterilizationprocedures.

Another example embodiment of the invention is adapted for use in othersurgical procedures such as vitrectomy and a similarly powered by anonboard compressed gas supply.

Another example embodiment further includes a module to support lensinsertion. The lens insertion module may be coupled to the power modulevia a mating coupler. The lens insertion module may include a cannulastructure that receives the foldable or rolled IOL therein and a slideor plunger structure that can be advanced within the cannula to directthe foldable or rolled IOL into the eye, for example, into the lenscapsule. According to an example embodiment of the invention the slideor plunger structure is advanced by pressure provided by compressed gasand a coupled piston is slidably movable within the cannula to advancethe foldable IOL. Accordingly, the advancement and insertion of the IOLcan be controlled by the surgeon using only one hand by holding thedevice and controlling a switch or valve which can be manipulated by asingle finger, for example. The controlling switch or valve is operablycoupled to the compressed gas supply and selectively releases thecompressed gas.

According to another example embodiment, the invention includes a moduleto support vitrectomy. The vitrectomy module may be coupled to the powermodule via a mating coupler. The vitrectomy module generally includes acutting probe and aspiration portion and a fluid replacement portion.The cutting probe is similar to vitrectors known to those of skill inthe art and may be available in multiple sizes, for example, 20 gauge,25 gauge and 27 gauge. The aspiration portion and fluid replacementportion are similar to those otherwise utilized in vitrectomy.

According to another example embodiment the invention may include apower module portion including the compressed gas supply and supply ofbalanced salt solution and three interchangeable modules that areadapted respectively for phacoemulsification, vitrectomy and lensinsertion after crystalline lens removal.

According to another example embodiment of the invention, the containerfor supplying balanced salt solution to accommodate 50 to 70 mL ofsolution. According to another example embodiment, the fluid supply mayinclude a viscoelastic solution as an alternative to a balanced saltsolution. It is expected that the use of a viscoelastic solution as amedium instead of balanced salt solution will facilitate safe andefficient aspiration of the cortex and nucleus of the crystalline lens.The application of viscoelastic may reduce the required fluid volume toperform a lens extraction procedure to as little as a few milliliters ascompared to 50 to 70 milliliters of balanced salt solution.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. Thefigures and the detailed description that follow more particularlyexemplify various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in considerationof the following detailed description of various embodiments inconnection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a power module with an attached lensaspiration module according to an example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a lens aspiration module according toan example embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of a vitrectomy module according to anexample embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of a lens insertion module according toan example embodiment of the invention.

While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimedinventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined bythe claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, according to an example embodiment of theinvention, self-contained handheld ophthalmic surgery instrument 10generally includes power module 12, lens aspiration module 14,vitrectomy module 16 and lens insertion module 18. Power module 12 iscoupleable to each of lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16and lens insertion module 18 via mating coupler 20. Power module 12 isself-contained and provides operating support for lens aspiration module14, vitrectomy module 16 and lens insertion module 18 without connectionto any outside console.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, power module 12 generally includesbody 22 presenting mating coupler 20 on an outside thereof and furtherincluding, compressed gas supply 24, pressure regulator 26, fluidreservoir 28, air motor 30, vacuum pump 32 and aspirated materialreservoir 34. Power module 12 further includes control panel 35.

Compressed gas supply 24 includes pressure vessel 36 structured tocontain compressed gas such as compressed air. Compressed gas supply 24is coupled in fluid communication with pressure regulator 26. Pressureregulator 26 controls pressure and flow of compressed gas contained incompressed gas supply 24.

Pressure regulator 26 is further coupled in fluid communication with afluid reservoir 28 and air motor 30. Pressure regulator 26 is adaptedsupply compressed gas to air motor 30 at an appropriate pressure andflow rate in order to operate air motor 30. Air motor 30 may be similarto those utilized in dental equipment for example. Pressure regulator 26is also adapted to supply compressed gas to fluid reservoir 28 at anappropriate pressure to cause fluid contained in fluid reservoir 28 toflow to provide replacement fluid to compensate for fluids removed fromthe eye during surgical procedures. Accordingly, pressure regulator 26may be adjustable dependent upon whether power module 12 is utilizedwith a lens aspiration module 14 vitrectomy module 16 or lens insertionmodule 18. Adjustments may be accomplished manually or automaticallybased on the coupling of the appropriate module to power module 12.

Fluid reservoir 28 is in fluid communication with pressure regulator 26as well as with mating coupler 20. Fluid reservoir 28 is adapted tocontain a supply of a fluid for replacing high fluids that are removedduring the eye surgery process. According to example embodiments of theinvention, fluid reservoir 28 may have a volume of 50 to 70 mL. Fluidreservoir 28 is pressurized via pressure regulator 26 in to providefluid to the eye at an appropriate volume and flow rate to compensatefor fluid removed during surgery by, for example aspiration.

Vacuum pump 32 is mechanically coupled to air motor 30 via, for example,driveshaft 38. Vacuum pump 32 may for example include a venturi pump, aturbine pump or a piston pump.

In the case of a venturi pump, driveshaft 38 is not utilized. Instead,compressed gas is utilized to create a relative vacuum by the venturiprinciple as is known to those skilled in the art. In the case of aturbine pump or piston pump, driveshaft 38 transmits power from airmotor 32 to vacuum pump 32. Vacuum pump 32 is structured and adapted toprovide a sufficient level of vacuum to aspirate material from lensaspiration module 14 or vitrectomy model 16.

Vacuum pump 32 is coupled in fluid communication with aspirated materialreservoir 34. Aspirated material reservoir 34 is structured and adaptedto receive aspirated material that may arise from the eye duringsurgical procedures via a lens aspiration module 14 or vitrectomy module16. Aspirated material reservoir 34 has a sufficient volume to receiveand contain aspirated material expected to be received therein during anormal procedure. Aspirated material reservoir 34 may be appropriatelyvented to the ambient atmosphere to allow for the displacement of airtherein. According to another example embodiment of the invention,aspirated material reservoir may be located between vacuum pump 32 andmating coupler 20 so that aspirated material may be drawn into aspiratedmaterial reservoir 34 via negative pressure.

Control panel 35 is in controlling communication with compressed gassupply 24, pressure regulator 26, fluid reservoir 28, air motor 30and/or vacuum pump 32. Control panel may include valves,electromechanical controllers and electrical or electronic controllersas known to those skilled in the art that control the functions ofself-contained ophthalmic surgery instrument 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, lens aspiration module 14 generally includescoupler 40, aspiration cannula 42, aspiration conduit 44, irrigationsleeve 46 and irrigation conduit 48.

Coupler 40 is structured and adapted to be attached to mating coupler 20of power module 12. Aspiration cannula 42 is coupled to aspirationconduit 44 which in turn is in fluid communication with vacuum pump 32and/or aspirated material reservoir 34. Coupler 40 is structured so thatwhen it is coupled to mating coupler 20, fluid communication isestablished between aspiration conduit 44 and vacuum pump 32 oraspirated material reservoir 34. Coupler 40 is further structured sothat irrigation conduit 48 is placed in fluid communication with fluidreservoir 28. Aspiration cannula 42 is of an appropriate size to receivefragments of the crystalline lens to be aspirated therethrough. The sizeof aspiration cannula 42 is determined in part by the expected size oflens fragments to be aspirated. Irrigation sleeve 46 is of anappropriate size to provide a flow of liquid such as balanced saltsolution or viscoelastic therethrough to replace fluid aspirated fromthe eye during surgery because of leakage or aspiration. It may berequired that irrigation sleeve 46 be of a different, likely larger,size to accommodate viscoelastic rather than balanced salt solution ifviscoelastic is used.

Referring now to FIG. 3 vitrectomy module 16 generally includesvitrectomy coupler 50, vitrectomy cannula 52, vitrectomy cutter 54 andcutter oscillator 56. Vitrectomy coupler 50 is adapted to couple influid communication with vacuum pump 32 and/or aspirated materialreservoir 34. Vitrectomy coupler 50 may further be adapted to couple influid communication with pressure regulator 26. Vitrectomy coupler 50may further house oscillator motor 58. In this case oscillator motor 58can be coupled with pressure regulator 26. Oscillator motor 58 isoperably coupled with cutter oscillator 56. Vitrectomy coupler 50 mayalso include vitrectomy aspiration conduit 60. Vitrectomy cannula 52 isin operable fluid communication with vitrectomy aspiration conduit 60which when coupled is in further fluid communication with vacuum pump 32and/or aspirated material reservoir 34.

Vitrectomy cutter 54 is located within vitrectomy cannula 52 proximateto cannula aperture 62. Cannula aperture 62 has edges in close fittingapposition to vitrectomy cutter 54. Vitrectomy cutter 54 is shiftablewithin vitrectomy cannula 52 for a distance approximating a length ofcannula aperture 62.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 4, lens insertion module 18 generallyincludes lens insertion coupler 64, lens insertion cannula 66, lensinsertion piston 68 and lens insertion connecting rod 70. Rolled orfolded intraocular lens 72 is also depicted within the lens insertioncannula 66. Lens insertion coupler 64 is adapted to be coupled to matingcoupler 20 and in fluid communication with pressure regulator 26 orfluid reservoir 28. Lens insertion piston 68 and lens insertionconnecting rod 70 are structured to be advanced by application ofpressure. Pressure may be supplied pneumatically via pressure regulator26 or hydraulically via fluid reservoir 28. Lens insertion piston 68 isslidably advanceable within lens insertion cannula 66 thereby advancingintraocular lens 72 through and ultimately out of lens insertion cannula66 into an eye.

Example embodiments of the invention further include a method ofperforming ocular surgery. An example method includes coupling at leastone module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task to aself-contained hand holdable power module that is not coupled to aconsole; inserting at least one portion of the at least one module intoan eye; performing the eye surgery task; and removing then the at leastone portion of the at least one module the eye.

The method of performing ocular surgery may further include selecting ormaking the at least one module to comprise a lens aspiration module, thelens aspiration module including a module coupler structured to operablyattach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a matingcoupler, a lens aspiration tube and an irrigation sleeve; and aspiratingfragments of a crystalline lens from the eye by application of the lensaspiration module.

The method of performing ocular surgery may further include selecting ormaking the at least one module to comprise a vitrectomy module includinga module coupler structured to operably attached to operably attach tothe self-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, acutting probe, an aspiration portion and a fluid replacement portion;and performing a vitrectomy by application of the vitrectomy module.

The method of performing ocular surgery may further include selecting ormaking the at least one module to comprise an IOL insertion moduleincluding a module coupler structured to operably attached to operablyattach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a matingcoupler, a cannula structure that is structured to receive a foldable orrolled IOL therein and a slide or plunger structure that is structuredfor sliding movement within the cannula structure whereby the foldableor rolled IOL can be advanced through the cannula structure; andinserting an IOL into the eye by application of the IOL insertionmodule.

The method of performing ocular surgery may further include supplyingviscoelastic solution into the eye instead of a balanced salt solutionvia an irrigation sleeve.

The method of performing ocular surgery may further include supplyingthe viscoelastic solution into the eye in a volume of less than 10milliliters or less than 5 milliliters.

The method of performing ocular surgery may further include dividing acrystalline lens of the eye into multiple fragments by application offemtosecond laser energy.

In operation, at least one of lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomymodule 16 and lens insertion module 18 is coupled to power module 12 viamating coupler 20. Upon coupling, compressed gas supply 24 vacuum pump32 and aspirated material reservoir 34 as well as fluid reservoir 28 arecoupled in fluid communication with lens aspiration module 14,vitrectomy module 16 or lens insertion module 18 as appropriate. Thisaspect will be further discussed below.

Once the one of lens aspiration module 14, vitrectomy module 16 and lensinsertion module 18 is coupled to power module 12 an operating surgeonmay grip power module 12 in a hand such that control panel 35 may bemanipulated by the operating surgeon's fingers. Alternately, controlledpanel 35 may be remotely located in and controlled by for example, afoot pedal (not shown).

If lens aspiration module 14 is coupled to power module 12 via matingcoupler 20 and coupler 40, aspiration cannula 42 is coupled to aspiratedmaterial reservoir 34 and vacuum pump 32 so that negative pressure canbe applied to aspiration cannula 42. Irrigation sleeve 46 is coupled viairrigation conduit 48 with fluid reservoir 28 so that fluid can besupplied under pressure through irrigation sleeve 46. Fluid may includefor example balanced salt solution or viscoelastic. As mentioned abovethe application of viscoelastic in the lens aspiration process mayreduce the volume of liquid required substantially to as little as a fewmilliliters.

An operating surgeon then manipulates aspiration cannula 42 to be placedin contact with fragments of the crystalline lens of the eye that havepreviously been created, for example, by the application of femtosecondlaser energy to section the crystalline lens of the eye. Because of thevacuum or negative pressure present in aspiration cannula 42 lensfragments are then drawn through aspiration cannula 42 then throughaspiration conduit 44 into aspirated material reservoir 34. Lensfragments are then held in aspirated material reservoir 34 for laterdisposal. Depending upon the design of example embodiments of theinvention aspirated material reservoir 34 may either follow or precedevacuum pump 32. As aspiration of lens fragments is accomplished fluidfrom fluid reservoir 28 is directed through irrigation conduit 48 andthen through irrigation sleeve 46 into the eye of the patient and toreplace fluid removed by aspiration. This keeps the anterior chamber ofthe eye from collapsing due to the aspiration of materials from the eyeduring the procedure. Compressed gas supply 24 is applied to fluidreservoir 28 via pressure regulator 26 in order to supply irrigationfluid via irrigation sleeve 46 at an appropriate pressure and volume.Once all of the crystalline lens fragments armor removed from the eyeaspiration cannula 42 an irrigation sleeve 46 are withdrawn from theincision into the eye and the lens extraction procedure is complete.

For vitrectomy procedures, vitrectomy module 16 is coupled to matingcoupler 20 of power module 12 via vitrectomy coupler 50.

After coupling an operating surgeon grips power module 12 so thatcontrol panel 35 is appropriately manipulable. Vitrectomy cannula 52,including vitrectomy cutter 54, is inserted into the eye and placed incontact with the vitreous body through an incision typically in the parsplana of the sclera. Normally in vitrectomy procedures fluid is replacedin the eye via a separate conduit. Accordingly, fluid replacement maynot be activated during a vitrectomy procedure.

Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been describedherein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are notintended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should beappreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments thathave been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerousadditional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions,shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for usewith disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may beutilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that thesubject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated inany individual embodiment described above. The embodiments describedherein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways inwhich the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined.Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations offeatures; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination ofdifferent individual features selected from different individualembodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can beimplemented in other embodiments even when not described in suchembodiments unless otherwise noted.

Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specificcombination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can alsoinclude a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter ofeach other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features withother dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposedherein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such thatno subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicitdisclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above isfurther limited such that no claims included in the documents areincorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference ofdocuments above is yet further limited such that any definitionsprovided in the documents are not incorporated by reference hereinunless expressly included herein.

For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended thatthe provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless thespecific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.

1. A self-contained ocular surgery instrument, comprising: a powermodule including: a body presenting a mating coupler; a compressed gassupply; a fluid reservoir; an aspiration pump; an aspirated materialreservoir; and a control panel; wherein the mating coupler is structuredto receive and operably couple to at least one module that facilitatesperformance of an eye surgery task; wherein the compressed gas supply isoperably coupled to the aspiration pump and the aspirated materialreservoir is in fluid communication with the aspiration pump to receiveaspirated material from the mating coupler; further wherein the fluidreservoir is in fluid communication with the mating coupler such thatfluid is supplied under pressure to the mating coupler and thus to theat least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgery task;further wherein the control panel is in controlling communication withthe compressed gas supply, the aspiration pump and the aspiratedmaterial reservoir.
 2. The self-contained ocular surgery instrument asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one module further comprises amodule selected from a group consisting of a lens aspiration module, avitrectomy module and a lens insertion module.
 3. The self-containedocular surgery instrument as claimed in claim 1, further comprising anair motor in operable fluid communication with the compressed gas supplywherein the air motor is operably coupled to the aspiration pump anddrives the aspiration pump.
 4. The self-contained ocular surgeryinstrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein compressed gas supply is influid communication with the fluid reservoir and pressurizes the fluidreservoir so that fluid is supplied to the mating coupler and thereby tothe at least one module that facilitates performance of an eye surgerytask.
 5. The self-contained ocular surgery instrument as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the aspiration pump comprises a pump selected from agroup consisting of a venturi pump, a gas driven piston pump and a gasdriven turbine pump.
 6. The self-contained ocular surgery instrument asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one module comprises a lensaspiration module, the lens aspiration module including a module couplerstructured to operably attached to the mating coupler and a lensaspiration tube.
 7. The self-contained ocular surgery instrument asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one module comprises avitrectomy module including a module coupler structured to operablyattach to the mating coupler, a cutting probe, an aspiration portion anda fluid replacement portion.
 8. The self-contained ocular surgeryinstrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one modulecomprises an IOL insertion module including a module coupler structuredto operably attach to the mating coupler, a cannula structure that isstructured to receive a folded or rolled IOL therein and a slide orplunger structure that is structured for sliding movement within thecannula structure whereby the foldable or rolled IOL can be advancedthrough the cannula structure.
 9. The self-contained ocular surgeryinstrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is adaptedto contain 50 to 70 mL of fluid.
 10. The self-contained ocular surgeryinstrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir is adaptedto contain a viscoelastic solution.
 11. A method of performing ocularsurgery, the method comprising: coupling at least one module thatfacilitates performance of an eye surgery task to a self-contained handholdable power module that is not coupled to a console; inserting atleast one portion of the at least one module into an eye; performing theeye surgery task; and removing then the at least one portion of the atleast one module the eye.
 12. The method of performing ocular surgery asclaimed in claim 11, further comprising: selecting or making the atleast one module to comprise a lens aspiration module, the lensaspiration module including a module coupler structured to operablyattach to the self-contained hand holdable power module via a matingcoupler, a lens aspiration tube and an irrigation sleeve; and aspiratingfragments of a crystalline lens from the eye by application of the lensaspiration module.
 13. The method of performing ocular surgery asclaimed in claim 11, further comprising: selecting or making the atleast one module to comprise a vitrectomy module including a modulecoupler structured to operably attach to the self-contained handholdable power module via a mating coupler, a cutting probe, anaspiration portion and a fluid replacement portion; and performing avitrectomy by application of the vitrectomy module.
 14. The method ofperforming ocular surgery as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:selecting or making the at least one module to comprise an IOL insertionmodule including a module coupler structured to operably attach to theself-contained hand holdable power module via a mating coupler, acannula structure that is structured to receive a foldable or rolled IOLtherein and a slide or plunger structure that is structured for slidingmovement within the cannula structure whereby the folded or rolled IOLcan be advanced through the cannula structure; and inserting an IOL intothe eye by application of the IOL insertion module.
 15. The method ofperforming ocular surgery as claimed in claim 11, further comprisingsupplying viscoelastic solution into the eye instead of a balanced saltsolution via an irrigation sleeve.
 16. The method of performing ocularsurgery as claimed in claim 15, further comprising supplying theviscoelastic solution into the eye in a volume of less than 10milliliters.
 17. The method of performing ocular surgery as claimed inclaim 15, further comprising supplying the viscoelastic solution intothe eye in a volume of less than 5 milliliters.
 18. The method ofperforming ocular surgery as claimed in claim 11, further comprisingdividing a crystalline lens of the eye into multiple fragments byapplication of femtosecond laser energy prior to aspiration of themultiple fragments from the eye.